Emergency Assistance

The Red Cross is equipped to verify emergencies and relay emergency leave requests or emergency notifications to proper military authorities. Red Cross also provide a variety of information, referral and advocacy services.  Red Cross provide access to emergency financial assistance 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. These services and more are available to service members and their families.

Red Cross emergency communications services keep military personnel in touch with their families following the death or serious illness of an immediate family member, the birth of a service member's child or grandchild or when a family experiences other emergencies.

No matter where a military member and their family are stationed, they can rest assured the Red Cross will deliver their notifications in times of crisis. Even if the service member receives notification of an emergency through an e-mail or a phone call, Red Cross-verified information assists commanding officers in making a decision regarding emergency leave. Without this verification, the service member may not be able to come home during a family emergency.

The American Red Cross at Naval Station Mayport is in Building 1358 behind the bowling alley. The phone numbers are 904-246-1395 or 904-270-5241. Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. However, assistance for emergency communications to military is available for military members and their spouses 24 hours a day by calling 877-272-7337(toll-free within the continental United States)  if you are:

• An Active Duty service member stationed in the United States or overseas, or a family member residing with them
• A family member of an active duty service member who does not reside in the service member’s household
• A Department of Defense Civilian assigned overseas and family members residing with them
• A member of the National Guard or Reserves
• A recruiter, MEPS military personnel
• A Veteran

When calling the Red Cross, please provide as much of the following information about the service member as is known:

• Full name
• Rank/rating
• Branch of service (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard or Department of Defense Civilian or contractor)
• Social Security Account number
• Date of Birth
• Military address
• For deployed service members only: Information about the deployed unit and home base unit

The Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society is a private, nonprofit organization designed to provide, in partnership with the Navy and Marine Corps, financial, educational, and other assistance to members of the Naval Service, eligible family members and their survivors when in need.

The Society provides financial assistance in the form of interest-free loans or grants for transportation in the event of an emergency, basic living expenses (food, shelter and utilities), vehicle repairs, a patient's cost share of medical and dental expenses, funeral expenses and other related services. In addition, the Society offers the following services: Financial counseling, budget baby workshops (baby layettes), visiting nurse services and education loans and grants.

The Society's services are provided through offices manned by trained volunteers who are familiar with the special conditions of service life. Volunteer opportunities exist for receptionist, counselors and many more.

Located in Building 1 (Room 1504) on Massey Ave., the Society office is open Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. by appointment only, phone 904-270-5418 ext.1504. Request for assistance with emergencies, including emergency leave, are handled until 4 p.m. and do not require an appointment. For after hours emergencies contact the Red Cross at 877-272-7337.

For more information please visit their website.

Before you leave, make sure you have all important papers with you — not packed with your household goods. Make sure you have important numbers such as your command duty office, and your sponsor. Your sponsor can be invaluable in case of an emergency while in transit. Remember to hand carry important documents you will need upon arrival such as birth certificates for your children to register for child care or school. If seeking employment; bring school transcripts, and updated resume, professional certifications or licenses. Also bring proof of car insurance, family immunization records, pet registration licenses.

The following is a checklist of things you should do before moving day:

Notify the post office of your forwarding address.

Send change of address cards to magazines, credit card companies and others as needed.

Stop any home delivery services and settle bills.

Notify utility companies.

Transfer insurance on cars, homes, etc., and check to see if personal possessions are covered during the move.

Notify your childrens' schools of the move, and arrange to get or forward their school records.

Get records from any private doctors or dentists.

The Salvation Army Northeast Florida Command provides numerous services to include:

• Life skills assistance
• Child development center
• Correctional services
• Disaster services
• Homeless / social services
• Seniors
• Food bank
• Holiday assistance programs (Thanksgiving Grocery Bags, Angel Tree) you can call the holiday hotline at: 904-301-4791

They can be reached by phone at 904-301-4875.